Outgoing U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville) may be leaving Congress, but that doesn't mean he'll necessarily be leaving Washington, D.C. Gilchrest's name is being kicked around as a potential candidate for a position at the Environmental Protection Agency.

"He'd be a great pick," Gene Ransom, a Democratic Queen Anne's County Commissioner, told PolitickerMD.com. "I also think Obama's very serious about brining Republicans in."

Gilchrest was ousted from Maryland's 1st Congressional District seat by state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) during the February primary after serving nine terms.

But Gilchrest, a moderate and staunch environmentalist, endorsed Harris's Democratic opponent, Frank Kratovil, during the general election and helped secure the Republican-leaning seat for a Democrat.

Gilchrest's record on reaching across the aisle doesn't stop there. After receiving the Maryland League of Conservation Voters' prestigious John V. Kabler Memorial Award in October, Gilchrest said during a speech that he voted for Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-Baltimore). In addition, Gilchrest often trumpeted the Obama-Biden ticket, though he insisted his kind words were never meant to be an official endorsement.

Gilchrest has "plenty of tread left on the tires," according to Charlie Garlow, a member of the Maryland Sierra Club, but said a position as the agencies "top dog" is highly unlikely.

Ransom disagreed. He said Gilchrest was "certainly qualified" to head the agency and would be a "nice addition to the Obama team."

"I would be very strongly supportive of Wayne Gilchrest," Ransom said.

Whether Gilchrest or another Marylander could be in the running for the EPA's region 3 administrator - which covers Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia - is another story.

"It's probably likely that this time Maryland folks will be passed," Garlow said.

Aaron Mintzes, the legislative and political manager at the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, said it was certainly possible.

"We are a great leader on the environment," Mintzes said. "I don't think the Electoral College plays much of a role."